type examination of japanese diatoms described by

Introduction

Friedrich Meister (1913, 1914) described 12new taxa, six from Lake Suwa, Japan, one from“Filter der Wasserversorgung Yokohama”, theother five from “Teich des botanischen Gartenszu Tokyo” (thought to be the Botanical Gardens,Graduate School of Science, the University ofTokyo in Koishikawa). Though these taxa areoften found in Japanese freshwater, as periphytonor plankton, their identification has been con-fused.

Slides prepared by Meister, agreeing with theoriginal descriptions, are found in Hustedt’s col-lection in the Friedrich Hustedt Study Centre forDiatoms, the Alfred Wegener Institut für Polar-und Meeresforschung. This paper continues re-ports of the examination of Meister’s type speci-mens (Tuji and Houki 2004; Tuji and Williams2006).

In this study, micrographs of type specimensfor five taxa described by Meister (1913) fromLake Suwa are presented.

Materials and Methods

Three sources of specimens were examined:1. Meister’s slides in the Hustedt’s collection inthe Friedrich Hustedt Study Centre for Diatoms,the Alfred Wegener Institut für Polar- undMeeresforschung (BRM) are labelled with thespecies name, a locality and the name of “Meis-ter”. As the descriptions match those given byMeister in 1913 (Meister 1913), they should beconsidered isotype specimens.2. Slide no. 801 (Lake Suwa) of Tempère etPeragallo (2nd edition), BM 69152 in the Depart-ment of Botany, Natural History Museum, Lon-don (BM), is thought to be isotype material (Tujiand Williams, 2006) for Meister (1913).3. Materials from Lake Biwa and Katata lagoonnear Lake Biwa, housed in the Department ofBotany, National Museum of Nature and Science(TNS), were examined for appropriate specimensto provide scanning electron micrographs (SEM).

Results and Discussion

Aulacoseira ambigua f. japonica (F. Meister)Tuji et D. M. Williams, comb. et stat. nov.

Type Examination of Japanese Diatoms Described by Friedrich Meister (1913) from Lake Suwa

Akihiro Tuji1 and D. M. Williams2

1 Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4–1–1, Amakubo, Tsukuba, 305–0005, Japan

E-mail: [email protected] Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum,

London, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, U.K.

Abstract The type slides for five taxa described by Friedrich Meister (1913) from Lake Suwawere examined. Micrographs of specimens from these type slides are presented and types are des-ignated using individuals from each slide. One new combination is also proposed.Key words : Asterionella subtilissima F. Meister, Aulacoseira ambigua f. japonica (F. Meister)Tuji et D. M. Williams, comb. et stat. nov., Aulacoseira pusilla F. Meister, Gomphonema globifer-um F. Meister, lectotype, Melosira japonica F. Meister, Melosira pusilla F. Meister, Synedra japon-ica F. Meister, Synedra delicatissima var. angustissima Grunow, Synedra delicatissima var.mesoleia Grunow, Synedra rostrata F. Meister.

Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. B, 33(2), pp. 69–79, June 22, 2007

[Figs. 1–4]Basionym: Melosira japonica F. Meister in

Archiv f. Hydrobiol. 8: 311. f. 1. 1913, a laterhomonym. [Fig. 3]

non: Melosira japonica Pant. in Beitr. Kenntn.Foss. Bacill. Ungarns 3: 62. 1905. pl. 4. f. 63. pl.8. f. 137. 1892.

Lectotype (designated here): Slide BRM“A3/57” ! [Fig. 4]

Isotype: Slide no. 801 of Tempère et Peragallo(2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 1, 2]

Type locality: Lake Suwa, Nagano Pref.,Japan.

Although Melosira japonica F. Meister (1913)is a later homonym of M. japonica Pantocsek(1905), it has been used in many Japanese re-search papers (Tanaka, 2002; Tuji, 2006).Melosira japonica sensu F. Meister has beensometimes identified as M. granulata var. tenuis-sima f. spiralis (Wakabayasi and Ichise, 1982).

Melosira japonica Pant. was described fromfossil material in Hokkaido and is clearly differ-ent from M. japonica sensu F. Meister (Tuji, pers.obs.).

Since the structure of the frustule is similar tothat of Aulacoseira ambigua (Grunow) Simon-sen, as described by Kobayasi and Nozawa(1981), Tuji and Houki (2001) made it a syn-onym of A. ambigua. Tuji and Houki (2001) usedthe term “Morphotype” for describing the mor-phological differences of colonies betweenMelosira japonica (with spiral colonies) and A.ambigua (straight colonies). The term “Morpho-type”, which was used by Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991) as “Morphotyp”, is not suitablein this case, as the term, if used at all, shouldrefer to morphological changes in a taxon.

Tanaka (2002) described A. ambigua, whichappeared in mesotrophic environments, andAulacoseira japonica nom. nud. (M. japonica),which appeared in eutrophic environment. Thedistribution of both taxa in Lake Biwa supportsthis ecological difference (Tuji, 1995, pers. obs.).

Since we believe it is important to distinguishthe morphological differences observed in thecolonies (spiral and straight), and as those differ-

ences correspond to different ecological occur-rences, we propose a new combination forMelosira japonica sensu Meister.

Four syntype slides have been identified forMelosira japonica F. Meister in Hustedt’s collec-tion: BRM, “A3/28”, with the Hustedt’s label“Suwa See Japan VII 1911 St Prap Meister”;BRM “A3/29”, with the Hustedt’s label “SuwaSee, Japan VII-IX, 08 St Prap Meister”; BRM“A3/57”, with the Meister’s label “Suwa Sea VII-IX 1908, Melosira japonica Meister”; and BRM“A3/58” with the Meister’s label “Suwa Sea VII-IX 1908, Melosira japonica Meister”. Last threeslides include specimens in single colonies. Indi-viduals found in all slides correspond to thegiven description of M. japonica F. Meister.Here, we propose BRM “A3/57” as the lectotypefor Melosira japonica F. Meister.

Aulacoseira pusilla (F. Meister) Tuji et Houki inBull. Natn. Sci. Mus., Tokyo, Ser. B. 30: 38.

[Figs. 5–20]Basionym: Melosira pusilla F. Meister, Arch.

Hydrobiol. 8: 311. pl. IV, f. 2. 1913.Lectotype (designated in Tuji and Houki

2004): Slide BRM “A3/61” ! [Figs. 5–10]Isotype: Slide no. 801 in Tempère et Peragallo

(2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 11–18]Type locality: Lake Suwa, Nagano Prefecture,

Japan.Synonym: Aulacoseira subborealis (Nygaard)

Denys, Muylaert et Krammer in Nova Hedwigia77: 410. 2003.

Melosira italica var. subborealis Nygaard,Folia Limnologica Scandinavica 8: 74. pl. 1. f. 8.pl. 2. f. 13–19. pl. 6. f. 24–25. 1956.

Examination and lectotypification for Melosirapusilla Meister was undertaken by Tuji andHouki (2004) (Figs. 1–10). Tuji and Williams(2006) also examined the isotype slide inTempère and Peragallo’s Diatomees du mondeentier (2nd ed.) (Figs. 11–18) and discussed itsmorphological variation.

Melosira pusilla F. Meister is commonly foundin eutrophic lakes, ponds and reservoirs in Japan.It has been confused with Aulacoseira distans

70 Akihiro Tuji and D. M. Williams

Type Examination of Japanese Diatoms Described by Friedrich Meister (1913) from Lake Suwa 71

Figs. 1–4. Aulacoseira ambigua f. japonica (F. Meister) Tuji et Williams, comb. et stat. nov. Figs. 1, 2. BM69152 (isotype). Fig. 3. Meister’s original illustration in Meister (1913). 4. A3/57 (lectotype, BRM).Bar�10 mm.


Figs. 5–20. Aulacoseira pusilla (F. Meister) Tuji et Houki. Figs. 5–10. A3/61 in BRM (lectotype; after Tuji andHouki, 2004). Figs. 11–18. BM 69152 (isotype; after Tuji and Williams, 2006). Figs. 19, 20. Katata lagoonnear Lake Biwa (after Tuji and Houki, 2004). Figs. 5–18. Bar�10 mm. Figs. 19, 20. Bar�1 mm.


Figs. 21–31. The Synedra delicatissima species complex. Synedra japonica F. Meister 21. K2/59 (lectotype,BRM). Figs. 22–23. BM 69152 (isotype). Figs. 24–26. Lake Biwa. Figs. 27, 28. Synedra delicatissima W.Sm. BM 22475 (lectotype). Fig. 29. Synedra delicatissima var. angustissima Grunow. 2646a in Grunow col-lection (lectotype individual, W). Figs. 30, 31. Synedra delicatissima var. mesoleia Grunow. 1881 in Grunowcollection (W). Fig. 30. Lectotype individual. Figs. 21–23, 27–30. Bar�10 mm. Figs. 24, 26. Bar�1 mm. Fig.25. Bar�5 mm. Figs. 21–26.

(Ehrenb.) Simonsen (Tanaka 2002), Aulacoseirasubarctica O. F. Müll. (Kawashima and Kobayasi1993) and Aulacoseira subarctica f. subborealis(Nygaard) Denys, Muylaert et Krammer (Hiroseet al., 2004; Tsugeki et al., 2006) by Japanese di-atomists.

Synedra japonica F. Meister in Arch. Hydrobiol.8: 312. pl. IV, f. 5–6. 1913. [Figs. 21–28]

Lectotype (designated here): BRM “K2/59” ![Fig. 21]

Isotype: Slide no 801, Tempère et Peragallo(2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 22, 23]


In BRM there is one slide labelled “K2/59” forthis taxon. It includes just two individuals: Onthe upper left one specimen is covered in dustand not suitable for detailed examination. Theother specimen, on the lower right, as it is visible(Fig. 21), is designated as the lectotype.

Although individuals with finer striae havebeen observed in the isotype slide (13–14 striaeper 10 mm, BM 69152, Fig. 22), it is assumed asimple morphological variation. The descriptiongiven of S. delicatissima var. angustissima inPatrick and Reimer (1966) is the same as this thistaxon.

Synedra japonica is common in the planktonof Japanese Lakes and Reservoirs, and previous-ly identified as either Synedra acus (Yoshizawaand Nakamura, 1995) or Synedra delicatissimavar. angustissima (Tanaka, 2002).

The valve are very narrow at the poles(1–2 m), becoming narrow towards the centralarea; the poles are weakly spatulate, the sternumis very narrow. Striae are 11–14 per 10 mm (Figs.21–23).

SEM observations on the material from LakeBiwa revealed two large rimoportulae, one ateach end of the frustule (Figs. 24–26).

Examination of the type for S. delicatissimavar. delicatissima W. Sm., using LM (Figs. 27,28) and SEM, was undertaken by Tuji and Houki(2004). Synedra delicatissima has has wider andcapitate valve poles when compared to S. japoni-

ca.Synedra delicatissima var. angustissima was

first described by Grunow (1882). In an annotat-ed copy of Van Heurck (1880–1885) (GVHS,housed in W), Grunow noted the slide “2646”,the locality “Attersee” (Lake Attersee, Austria)and the density of striae (12) alongside his origi-nal line drawings. Slide “2646a” and raw materi-al “2646” were located in Grunow’s collectionand examined using LM. The individual in Fig-ure 29, from slide W 2646a, we designate as thelectotype.

Synedra delicatissima var. mesoleia was alsofirst described by Grunow (1882). In GVHS,Grunow noted the slide “1821”, the locality anddensity of striae (11 1/2) alongside his originalline drawings. Slide “1821” was located inGrunow’s collection and examined using LM.The individual in Figure 30, from slide W 1821,we designate as the lectotype.

Synedra delicatissima var. angustissima and S.delicatissima var. mesoleia both have wide andcapitate valve poles, and are considered syn-onyms of S. delicatissima var. delicatissima.These features separate it from S. japonica andare not synonyms.

Synedra rostrata F. Meister in Arch. Hydrobiol.8: 312. pl. IV, f. 7. 1913. [Fig. 32–37]

Lectotype (designated here): BRM “K2/57” ![Fig. 33]

Isotype: Slide no. 801 Tempère et Peragallo(2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 32, 34–36]

Synonym: Synedra inaequalis H. Kobayasi inKobayasi, H., Idei, M., Kobori, S. et Tanaka, H.,Diatom 3: 9–10. f. 2–13. 1987.

Ulnaria inaequalis (H. Kobayasi) M. Idei inH. Kobayasi’s, Atlas Jap. Diat. Electr. Microsc. 1:86. 2006.


One individual specimen of Synedra rostrataF. Meister on slide BRM “K2/57” was found, anddesignated as lectotype. Both the lectotype indi-vidual and others found on the isotype slide cor-respond with the description given by Meister



Figs. 32–37. Synedra rostrata F. Meister. 33. K2/57 (lectotype, BRM). Figs. 32, 34–36. BM 69152 (isotype).Fig. 37. Meister’s original illustration in Meister (1913). Figs. 31–36. Bar�10 mm.

(1913).SEM micrographs were presented by Kobayasi

et al. (1987) and Kobayasi et al. (2006) as S. in-aequalis. The variation observed for Synedra ros-trata F. Meister is that of Synedra inaequalis H.Kobayasi in Kobayasi et al. (1987), suggestingthey are synonyms.

This taxon is common as periphyton in the

oligotrophic rivers and lakes.

Asterionella subtilissima F. Meister in Arch.Hydrobiol. 8: 312. pl. IV, f. 8–10. 1913.

[Figs. 38–47]Lectotype (designated here): BRM “KB/81” !

[Fig. 47]Isotype: Slide no. 801 Tempère et Peragallo


Figs. 38–47. Asterionella subtilissima F. Meister. 48. KB/81 (lectotype, BRM). Figs. 38–46. BM 69152 (iso-type). Figs. 37–46. Bar�10 mm.

(2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 38–46]Type locality: Lake Suwa, Nagano Pref.,

Japan.One colony on the slide numbered “KB/81”

was found to be Asterionella subtilissima F.Meister and is designated as lectotype. The lecto-type colony was observed only in girdle view(Fig. 47). Valve and girdle views were found forspecimens in the isotype slide (BM 69152, Figs.

38–46). Asterionella subtilissima has a shortvalve length and may be compared with Asteri-onella gracillima (Hantzsch) Heib. However,there is a lack of data to clarify the taxonomicstates of A. subtilissima. The colony formationand the valve structure of A. subtilissima is alsosimilar to Eunotia asterionelloides Hust. Howev-er, the striae of A. subtilissima are parallelthrough to the valve ends (Fig. 40–46), those of


Figs. 48–52. Gomphonema globiferum F. Meister. BM 69152 (isotype). Figs. 50, 51. Lectotype. Fig. 52. Meis-ter’s original illustration in Meister (1913). Figs. 48–52. Bar�10 mm.

E. asterionelloides become oblique towards thepoles (Simonsen, 1987: pl. 570).

Gomphonema globiferum F. Meister in Arch.Hydrobiol. 8: 312. pl. IV, f. 13. 1913.

[Figs. 48–52]Lectotype (designated here): One individual

from slide no. 801 Tempère et Peragallo (2nded.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 50, 51]

Isotype: Specimens on slide no. 801 Tempèreet Peragallo (2nd ed.), BM 69152 ! [Figs. 48–51]

No specimens of Gomphonema globiferum F.Meister were found on any BRM slides. Hencewe designate an individual as the lectotype fromisotype material (BM 69152). The lectotype is ofthe morphology for the current concept of thistaxon (Tanaka, 2002).

Appendix for related taxa

Synedra delicatissima var. delicatissima W.Sm., Synops. Brit. Diat. 72. pl. XII. f. 94. 1853.— Ulnaria delicatissima (W. Sm.) M. Aboal et P.C. Silva 2004.

Holotype: Pg74 #1 in the W. Smith collectionin AWH.

Lectotype: BM 22475 designated by Patrickand Reimer (1986; Plate 5, Fig. 2)

[Figs. 27, 28]Synonyms:Synedra delicatissima var. angustissima

Grunow in Van Heurck, Syn. Diat. Belgique pl.XXXIX. f. 10. 1881. — Ulnaria delicatissimavar. angustissima (Grunow) M. Aboal et P. C.Silva 2004.

Lectotype (designated here): an individual inthe slide 2646a in Grunow collection (W !) (Eng-land finder: P43/3) [Fig. 29]

Synedra delicatissima var. mesoleia Grunow inVan Heurck, Syn. Diat. Belgique pl. XXXIX. f.6. 1881.

Lectotype (designated here): slide 1881 inGrunow collection (W !) [Figs. 30, 31]

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